Narrowboat Vegvisir

A slow start to the day, rotting in bed as outside was cool and not inviting. Eventually bestirred ourselves for early lunch and on the move - after rescuing a hire boater who had forgotten how to moor up and topping up the water - by 1pm.  What should have been a pleasant, simple cruise turned into something of an endurance test, as the wind got gradually chillier and the linear moorings stretched on endlessly. You have to go past moored boats at a snail's pace so as not to joggle them against the bank, but oh dear it's tedious. One of the boats we passed was Laura Maisie, the boat of bloggers and vloggers Floating Our Boat.. https://floatingourboat.com/ or search on YouTube Eventually arrived at the Junction, having collected a tail of 2 other boats heading the same way. We had a space booked but discovered things were in, let's say, a bit of a pickle. Some standing about and debating on the towpath later, some 6 boats had to shuffle into their correct berth. Handily, jus

Up fairly early to go to the market. Had a quiet night with only a little noise from the further road bridge. Emptied the rubbish and had a quick chat with the guy cleaning the toilet block. Same guy who does Nantwich. Currently works for Fountains but about to be transferred to the company that won the new CRT contract (Dovetail) who sound to be a bit more professional. Hope so as this guy takes a real pride in his work.  Short walk into town to the market. Not as big as expected but we managed to get a new mop and scrubbing brush for the boat. Looked in a few charity shops and got a book.  Picked up a few groceries at the small Asda. The location of the festival we are heading to is remote so we need to be well stocked to dilute the festival food.  Got back to the boat about 11:00 and met up with the other IWA couple who are taking their boat to the festival. They were having a bit of a medical crisis and were unsure whether they would need to turn around and go home. So we took vari

Up at 08:25. Engine check revealed that the oil filler cap had popped off and was lying on top of the engine. Small amount of oil splashed on the engine but dipstick showed no significant amount lost. Under way at 08:40. Breakfast was a banana and a cup of coffee on the go.  Made good time through the locks despite having to turn most of them. Alison worked all of the Audlem flight. Then Andrew walked the mile to Adderley flight and worked those.  Moored up at 13:15 for some lunch.  After lunch of feta cheese and salad in GF pitta breads did another 3 miles to Market Drayton visitor moorings.  Moored up using one ring and one chain near Bridge 63 Betton Bridge. Engine stopped by 15:30. Market day tomorrow. 

And we're off. Easter has been and gone, and the starting Gun on the cruising season has been fired. A final load through the laundrette,  and ADS set off at 10:15 to take Vegvisir up to wind at Henhull, while AJS did a shop with the luxury of a car.  While waiting, AJS entertained by a reverse joust at Nantwich narrows: both boats approached, then went into reverse, waving each other through. After a standoff of some minutes, one plucked up the resolve to accept the other's invitation. Better than a play! Reunited 50 minutes later, for a slow chug through busy Nantwich. Gently through Hack Green 1 as we were sharing it with a duck and her nine ducklings. Once at the top they escaped into offside shrubberies. Lunch on the move; feta cheese and salad in pittas. On the way, ADS spotted an ex student, Chris, on their nb Mallard. Greetings and amazement roared at each other as we passed. Paused at Overwater to fill up diesel, empty the black tank and top up with water, and then on